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American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

Cohen, B., Shenk, J., (Director). (2020). Athlete A [Film]. Netflix.

Learn Facts About Sexual Violence. (2017). National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Retrieved from chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/info_8.5x11_final508.pdf.

Mahmood , A. (2018, May 29). How much do you really know about mental health?. Channel Kindness. https://www.channelkindness.org/mental-health-awareness-quiz/

National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). I’m so stressed out! Retrieved from https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIMH/bulletins/2971479.

What is trauma? - trauma-informed care implementation Resource Center. Trauma-Informed Care. (2021). https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma/

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This website offers a great amount of resources. Play therapy can be very beneficial to kids going through tough times. This resource is helpful for Mental Health Professionals as well as parents. topics covered include grief/loss, bullying, violence, and diversity.

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When a person is experiencing a mental health crisis, it's like their brain is on fire. The longer the crisis, the more damage it can cause. Like any other health crisis, it's important to address a mental health emergency quickly and effectively.

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The Psychological First Aid (PSA) was very beneficial. I learned different objectives on how to respond to people in need during a crisis. During the PFA I obtained knowledge on the corresponding steps to action as well as healthy was to help. The PFA serves after a traumatic event including, natural disasters, public health emergency, and personal crisis. I am excited to ass this completion to my resume.

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate

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Unit 1 Section 1 Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Unit 1 Section 1 Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Mahmood , A. (2018, May 29). How much do you really know about mental health?. Channel Kindness. https://www.channelkindness.org/mental-health-awareness-quiz/

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It's the last week of Mental Health Awareness Month, but how much do you really know about mental health conditions and how to help someone who has them?

Test your knowledge with this eight-question quiz, and maybe learn a little along the way!
* Disclaimer: This quiz is meant to be fun and informative on the topic of mental health. Just remember it is not a substitute for talking to a professional or a tool to diagnosis a mental health condition. Please enjoy, and for more information on resources and ways to learn more, see the end of the quiz.

What proportion of people aged 13 to 18 in the U.S. live with a serious mental health condition?

What is the average delay between the onset of mental health symptoms and intervention?

True or False: The majority of young people are interested in taking a class or training program to prepare to help a friend facing a mental health crisis?

Mental Health Awareness Quiz

To learn more about mental health, visit NAMI.org or NIMH.org

Interested in taking a Mental Health First Aid course? #BeKindBeTheDifference and pledge to register for a trainingtoday!

or take a look at the
For more information about mental health conditions, please visit BTWF'sresearch BTWF conducted with Benenson Strategy Group. To learn how to fight the stigma or to talk to someone about how you're feeling, please contact any of the organizations below:

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How Much Do You Really Know About Mental Health? - Channel Kindness

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It's the last week of Mental Health Awareness Month, but how much do you really know about mental health conditions and how to help someone who has them? Test your knowledge with this eight-question quiz, and maybe learn a little along the way!

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Hello! My name is Kaegan Holder! I am currently in the Masters in Mental Health and Wellness in Counseling program and plan to continue into the LPC bridge program. A personal goal I have for myself is to travel to all 50 states. A personal goal for this class includes gaining knowledge on trauma and being comfortable talking about trauma. In a professional aspect, I have many goals. I truly don't have a "dream job" however, my dream is to love and help foster growth in people through meeting mental health needs. With that being said, I am interested in school counseling, play therapy, and assisting non-profit organizations. As time continues, I believe I will find the perfect fit for where I belong. Growing up, and even now I always struggled with anxiety. My struggle has fostered a love to learn and discuss mental health.  My goal is to provide resources to people that I did not have or was not informed of. Some of my favorite things include time with my family, vacationing, and being outside.

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Unit 1 Section 2: Guide to Mental Health Disorders

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Unit 1 Section 2: Guide to Mental Health Disorders

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Unit 3 Crisis- Assignment 2 Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

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Unit 3 Crisis- Assignment 2 Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

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The development of a crisis prevention and threat assessment plan was very eye opening. This crisis preventative and threat assessment plan was covering human and sex trafficking. This plan includes support services and trauma informed services. Throughout this plan you will see guidance on tools used to detect human and sex trafficking as well as helpful information regarding trafficking.  Human and sex trafficking is a multimillion dollar industry that can take place in many different locations.
As I participated in the planning and implementation of our crisis plan, I learned valuable tools to take with me on my journey. Screening tools, at risk behaviors, the referral process, as well as how to navigate a relationship when dealing with a client are to name a few. Lastly, there are some great resources regarding agencies and organizations that can better help serve human and sex trafficking victims.

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There are approximately 62% of U.S. Adults with at least one ACE (Trauma-Informed Care, 2021). The ACE study is used to determine traumatic events experienced in childhood before the age of 18. The ACE study is composed of ten questions to receive a score. the higher the score the more trauma has been associated. As your ACE also increases so does the percentage of having social and emotional problems. Topics covered in the ACE study are sexual/emotion/physical abuse, divorce, mental illness, incarcerated parent, substance abuse, as well as neglect.

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Athlete A is a documentary on Netflix. This documentary shows many different perspectives from athletes directly impacted by the sexual abuse that involved the U.S. Gymnastics team over many years. Team members who experienced sexual abuse are still dealing with the trauma and something they will never forget. Through this experience, many changes in the athletes lives were changed forever. Hearing about different documentaries that include trauma related topics was interesting to me. I find that watching these documentaries can be eye opening for a counselor to truly understand the depth, the hurt, and trauma that is endured.

Cohen, B., Shenk, J., (Director). (2020). Athlete A [Film]. Netflix.

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(NSVRC, 2017)

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This unit was very informative and eye opening. I truly learned so much about childhood trauma. Trauma is not a one size fits all and can be difficult to unpack. Trauma can occur from a single incident or ongoing events that results in physically, mentally, socially, and emotional well being. Example of experiences that could cause trauma includes poverty, sexual/physical abuse, as well as neglect. Trauma can have long term effects on children who suffer from trauma. It is imperative that children receive the best form of help to cope.

What is trauma? - trauma-informed care implementation Resource Center. Trauma-Informed Care. (2021). https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma/

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The ABC Model assignment was very beneficial. When reading each of the scenarios I clearly understood that these could be possible stories I could be handling as an LPC. While it was hard to choose, I decided to go with case study #1 Melynda's story. In the ABC model of crisis intervention I had the privilege of getting to dissect the scenario. A started by achieving the relationship. In this part of the intervention, a healthy relationship can be very important in order to move forward with the given client. For parts B and C , I broke down the given problems and committed to action. From gaining insight on the problem, a counselor is able to give direction what what action is needing to take place.

The ABC model of intervention will go with me as I develop into a clinical position.

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If You or Someone You Know are in Danger and Need Immediate Help:

Call 9-1-1 for the local police department

Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

The Texas Human Trafficking Resource Center connects Health and Human Services staff, health care providers, stakeholders and those who have experienced human trafficking to resources needed to locate services, help prevent trafficking, and recognize and respond to potential trafficking situations.

Stop Human Trafficking Donation Account

HHSC launched a new donation account to raise funds to provide dedicated housing and treatment services to youth who have experienced human trafficking. To donate, visit the Stop Human Trafficking Donation Service website.

What Is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services or commercial sex. The United States Department of Justice classifies human trafficking into two major categories:

Sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing or soliciting of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act is 17 or younger.

Labor trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtainment of a person through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.

Those trafficked are of all ages, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds and citizenship statuses. Traffickers can be anyone, including family members, intimate partners, business owners and community leaders. Trafficking occurs in various industries, such as restaurants, massage parlors, hotels, factories, domestic services, child care, health care and sexually oriented businesses.

The Office of the Attorney General of Texas created the film "Be the One" about preventing, recognizing and reporting human trafficking. In the film, survivors share their experiences and the impacts of human trafficking. Note: The following film contains stories that some viewers may find triggering or upsetting. Viewer discretion is advised.

How Do I Identify Human Trafficking in My Practice?

Many trafficked persons interact with the health care system while being trafficked. Health care providers often do not recognize the signs of trafficking or are unsure of how to help. Trafficked persons often do not disclose their situation.

The following lists indicators, or red flags, to look for when treating your patients.

Physical Health

Frequent treatment of sexually transmitted infections or injuries

Multiple unwanted pregnancies

Fractures or burns

Bruising

Gastrointestinal problems

Skin or respiratory problems caused by exposure to agricultural or other chemicals

Communicable and non-communicable diseases

Oral health issues, including broken teeth

Chronic pain

Signs of concussions, traumatic brain injuries or unexplained memory loss

Malnutrition

Behavioral Health

Unwilling to answer questions about their health

Unable to concentrate or provide basic information including age, address or time

Gives confusing or contradicting information

Abuses substances

Has depression or anxiety

Appears nervous or avoids eye contact

Has post-traumatic stress disorder

Other Indicators of Trafficking

Another person appears to be in control and does not let them answer questions

Reports a high number of sexual encounters

Does not have possession of their own identification documents

Lives in an overcrowded area or at their workplace

Has tattoos or branding of ownership

Wears inappropriate clothing for the weather or venue

Learn more about required training for health care practitioners on the Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training page.

What Should I Do if I Suspect a Patient Is Being Trafficked?

If a health care provider suspects their patient is being trafficked, the provider should try to speak with the patient privately without anyone who is accompanying them. Private conversations help to establish trust and allow the patient to share information about their situation in a safe environment. Health care organizations should establish protocols on responding to human trafficking, including screening methods and questions to ask potential trafficked persons.

Screening Tools for Health Care Practitioners

Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool (CSE-IT)

CSE-IT is a research-based screening tool that helps improve early identification of commercially sexually exploited youth. West Coast Children's Clinic developed this tool, which is currently used in Texas and other states and across various sectors.

Learn more about CSE-IT on the Office of the Texas Governor Child Sex Trafficking Team website and on the West Coast Children's Center website.

Short Child Sex Trafficking Screen for the Health care Setting

Dr. Jordan Greenbaum with The Institute on Healthcare and Human Trafficking developed this validated screening tool for assessing teenagers seeking health care in the United States.

Adult Human Trafficking Screening Tool and Guide

Administration for Children and Families designed this survivor-centered, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate screening tool and guide. It can help health care providers in various sectors assess adult patients or clients for signs of potential exploitation or risk of being exploited.

Learn more about the Adult Human Trafficking Screening Tool and Guide on the U.S. Office on Trafficking In Persons website.

Trafficking Victim Identification Tool and Manual

Vera Institute for Justice developed this tool and manual, which are intended primarily for victim service agency staff and other social service providers who are screening potential adult and child trafficking victims. Law enforcement, health care and shelter workers will also find it helpful in improving trafficking victim identification, especially in conjunction with appropriate training or mentoring.

Learn more and download the tool on the Vera Institute for Justice website.

If You Are Concerned Your Patient Has Been Trafficked

Provide medical care.

Follow mandatory state reporting laws and institutional policies of abuse to a child, elderly person, or person with a disability or reporting that a child is unaccompanied by an adult.

Follow institutional policies for reporting to law enforcement if the patient is in immediate, life-threatening danger. Whenever possible, try to work with the patient in deciding to contact law enforcement.

Offer the patient the National Human Trafficking Hotline number, 888-373-7888, and text number, 233733. Encourage them to call if they want help or to talk to someone. If the patient believes it is dangerous to have the numbers written, help them memorize the numbers. A common technique is to break the phone number into smaller segments, such as 888-37-37-888. The text number 233733 spells BeFree.

Provide the patient with options for services, reporting and resources.

Include safety planning in the discharge planning process.

Ensure information regarding the patient's injuries or treatment is fully and accurately documented in the patient's records.

More Information and Resources

State Resources

HHSC Provider Guidebook: Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in Texas

The Provider Guidebook lists available services from HHSC and its affiliates. It also serves as a resource for HHSC staff, contractors, providers and stakeholders when supporting those who have experienced human trafficking. The Provider Guidebook provides information about existing HHSC programs and the enrollment process into these programs.

View the HHSC Provider Guidebook: Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in Texas (PDF).

Texas Abuse Hotline

The Department of Family and Protective Services provides the Texas Abuse Hotline website for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children, adults with disabilities and people 65 years or older.

Learn more and report abuse on the Texas Abuse Hotline website.

Office of the Governor Child Sex Trafficking Team (CSTT)

CSTT coordinates a holistic response to child sex trafficking in Texas. CSTT's mission is to build sustainable capacity, enhance expertise, promote policies and leverage collaborations to:

Protect children and youth from sexual exploitation.

Help the public recognize sexual exploitation.

Help victims recover.

Support healing.

Bring justice to those that exploit children.

Learn more on the Office of the Governor Child Sex Trafficking Team website.

Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council

Created by the Texas Legislature in 2019, this Council works towards effectively and efficiently eradicating human trafficking through the coordination and collaboration of programs, services and state resources.

Learn more on the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council website.

National Resources

HEAL Trafficking

HEAL Trafficking is an integrated network of over 3,500 survivors and multidisciplinary professionals in 35 countries dedicated to ending human trafficking and supporting its survivors from a public health perspective.

The network provides training materials, guidebooks, speaker opportunities and publications from medical journals and newspapers for health care practitioners.

Learn more and access resources on the HEAL Trafficking website.

HEAL Trafficking and Hope for Justice: Protocol Toolkit for Developing a Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Health Care Settings

HEAL Trafficking designed this toolkit to help professionals working in health care settings, such as emergency departments, hospitals, clinics, private offices or school-based health centers, develop a protocol to respond to potential human trafficking situations.

Request a copy of the toolkit on the HEAL Trafficking website.

Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP)

OTIP develops federal anti-trafficking strategies, policies and programs to prevent human trafficking, build health and human service capacity to respond to human trafficking, increase victim identification and access to services, and strengthen health and well-being outcomes of trafficking survivors.

Learn more and access resources on the Office on Trafficking in Persons website.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

OVC assists crime victims by providing leadership and funding on behalf of crime victims. OVC strengthens the victim service response to human trafficking through grant funding, training and technical assistance, and leadership in the field.

Learn more and access resources on the OVC Human Trafficking website.

Polaris

Polaris serves victims and survivors through the National Human Trafficking Hotline. It also builds a dataset that illuminates how human trafficking works, in real-time, and turns knowledge into targeted systems-level strategies to disrupt and prevent human trafficking.

Learn more and access resources on the Polaris website.

For information on human trafficking training, technical assistance and resources, email the Texas Human Trafficking Resource Center.

Report Human Trafficking

National Human Trafficking Hotline accepts anonymous tips:

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The Texas Human Trafficking Resource Center connects HHS staff, healthcare providers, stakeholders and potential victims of human trafficking to local, state and national resources to identify and help people affected by human trafficking.

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The ACA Code of Ethics plays a critical role in the counseling world. The American Counseling Associations goal is to ensure the quality of life amongst the population by using professional counselors while maintaining diversity and respect. The ACA is manual to protect myself and other counselors in the field. The ACA provides ethical guidelines, obligations, as well as responsibilities that counselors must maintain. Additionally, this resource provides instructs counselors on topics such as confidentiality,  professional development, counseling relationships, and even technology + social media.
In my role as a counselor, it is my duty to comply to these standards and uphold integrity for myself and my clients.

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

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(NIMH, 2020)

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When referring clients out, it is important to explain the process and reasoning behind the given referral. When referring a client, it can be to further support the client in an area that the counselor cannot. The referral process will look different depending on your scope. (Example: school counselors must refer our for long term counseling) I believe it is important to stay inside your scope of knowledge and education. When a client needs extra support its important to provide that information to the client and refer out. As a counselor, I will know different referral resources with preparation to explain how a source can better benefit my clients treatment. This can also entail me personally reaching out to gather more information.

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When dealing with clients, it can be critical to ensure the use of proper etiquette when dealing with diverse clients. When working with the public, we experience cultural differences. As a counselor, it is my job to be respectful of the different diverse and cultural differences that may occur. This could include researching proper etiquette before meeting with a client. Being educated on differences can and will make a difference.

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Below, you’ll resources that are updated frequently.
If there are resources you are looking for but cannot find.
Please reach out to us and we may be able to assist you!

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Lubbock, Texas
806.763.3232
www.voiceofhopelubbock.org
Free individual counseling and group therapy for victims of sexual assault

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We offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Our services include counseling for needs such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). We can also connect you with more support in VA and your community.

Main Location

Direct line

We also have non-traditional hours that change periodically given our community's needs. Please call us to find out more.

Need help after hours?

Our call center is available 24/7. Call us anytime at 877-927-8387.

Prepare for your visit

Click on a topic for more details.

Stop by during our office hours and let's discuss how we can help. Many of our services are available on a walk-in basis.

If you would like to schedule an appointment give us a call and we will be happy to discuss a time that works best for you to meet with a member of our staff.

Anyone in crisis will be seen within the same day.

You do not need to be registered for care at VA, rated for a service connected disability, or receiving any other form of VA benefits. On your first visit, we will look for one or more of the following:

Discharge documents (such as a DD214)

Receipt of certain awards

Deployment orders

Other documents that show qualifying military service

Request your military service records online.

If you don't have these documents on-hand, come in and we can work with you to establish your eligibility and also answer any questions you might have.

Cost: Free

The main parking lot directly in front of the Vet Center in which we share with the immediately surrounding businesses. The parking area is well lit and you may park in any available spot. Accessible parking is available in the main parking area in front of the Vet Center. There is additional parking available along the side of the building.

(Citibus) Route 6 : (Buddy Holly/50th Street Crosstown) has a stop on Flint Ave. near the Vet Center.

Visit Citibus website or call 806-775-3640 for more information.

In the spotlight at Lubbock Vet Center

Learn more about the confidential and comfortable environment you'll find at your local Vet Center.

Hear what Vet Centers can do for you!

The Lubbock Vet Center wishes a special "Happy New Year" to all service members, Veterans, and their families. May the new year bring you health and peace of mind.

Get ready for 2022 West Texas Salute to Veterans on April 30,2022 at Silent Wings Museum, 6202 N. I-27. This is a FREE event with a 5KFun Run, Veterans Resource Fair, Car show, Kids Activities, Poker Run, Live Music. Lunch will be provided.

Counseling services

Click on a service for more details.

We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.

The Lubbock Vet Center has clinicians who can provide services such as:

Individual counseling for couples, spouses, children and significant others

Couples counseling

If someone close to you has died or you're adjusting to a difficult life change, we're here to support you.

Grief and bereavement counseling provides assistance and support to people with emotional and psychological stress after the death of a loved one. Bereavement counseling includes a broad range of transition services, including outreach, counseling, and referral services to family members.

Our Vet Center offers bereavement counseling to any family members of active duty service members including National Guard and Reserves who died in the service of their country.

If you're struggling with issues like PTSD, depression, grief, anger, or trauma, we offer counseling and other support. We'll work with you to help you achieve your personal goals.

At the Lubbock Vet Center, we offer individual and group counseling. We also provide referral services to appropriate resources in our community

Care at our center includes:

One-on-one hour-long counseling sessions targeted at your individual needs

Group counseling for Hearing Impaired Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, Minority Veterans, Combat Veterans , Women Veterans, and more

Evidence-based therapies such as:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

If you experienced sexual assault or harassment during military service, we can help you get the counseling you need. Any Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve forces, who experienced military sexual trauma is eligible to receive counseling. This applies to people of all genders from any service era.

The Lubbock Vet Center has both female and male counselors to provide counseling and treatment.

Specialty care includes:

Women's MST group

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

Client-Centered Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)

If you have symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event, we can help. We offer assessment and support through private counseling and group therapy. We can also refer you to VA or community counseling for treatment and therapy resources.

If you think you might have PTSD, there are resources to help you recover. Even if your symptoms come and go - or surfaced months or years after the traumatic event - effective treatments are available. Call us at 806-792-9782 to explore and to learn about treatment options, self-help tools, and more.

At the Lubbock Vet Center, we offer individual and group counseling; and will tailor your counseling experience to make you comfortable.

The Lubbock Vet Center offers the following groups for PTSD:

Combat Life Adjustment (Discuss/learn skills to cope with symptoms related to post-traumatic stress)

Operation Recovery (Learn and discuss different methods of coping with post-traumatic stress)

Specialty care includes:

Mindfulness

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT)

If you're returning from military service, we'll help you transition to civilian life. We can connect you with educational and career counseling, mental health services, and other programs and benefits that will support your transition.

The Lubbock Vet Center understands that the transition from military to civilian life can be a challenge. We offer a variety of ways to assist you in that process such as:

How to get VA medical benefits and register for care

Where to go to file claims and other forms

Understanding your VA education benefits

Housing and home loans

Education and referral for VA burial benefits

The Lubbock Vet Center can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community

Referral services

Click on a service for more details.

We can help you overcome substance use problems, from unhealthy alcohol use to life-threatening addiction. We'll connect you to services for your specific needs.

We offer supportive evidence-based therapies and referrals (as needed) to support your goals.

Please call the Lubbock Vet Center at 806-792-9798 for additional assistance.

Call our Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 to get support anytime day or night. This service is private, free, and available 24/7. Our Vet Center can also connect you with ongoing counseling and services.

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night.

If these symptoms lead to thoughts of death or suicide, it's important you talk to someone right away. The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.

The Lubbock Vet Center can connect you to resources to assist with bringing Vet Center information and services to eligible Veterans, the Lubbock Vet Center engages with various community organizations:

Other services

Click on a service for more details.

We provide private organizations and community agencies education on our Veteran community and military culture. Together, we build referral networks to expand support for Veterans, service members, and their families.

The Lubbock Vet Center supports local Veterans and service members through partnerships with local universities, businesses, non-profit organizations, military installations, and National Guard Armories. We also provide referrals to Veteran Service Organizations in the community.

How we're different than a clinic

Click on a topic for more details.

Vet Centers are small, non-medical, counseling centers conveniently located in your community. They're staffed by highly trained counselors and team members dedicated to seeing you through the challenges that come with managing life during and after the military.

Whether you come in for one-on-one counseling or to participate in a group session, at Vet Centers you can form social connections, try new things, and build a support system with people who understand you and want to help you succeed.

You may be eligible for Vet Center services no matter your discharge status or eligibility for VA health care. And we encourage you to contact us, even if you're not sure if you're eligible. If we can't help you, we'll find someone who can.
If you're a Veteran or service member (including National Guard and Reserves), you're eligible if you meet any of these service requirements:

You served on active duty in any combat theater or area of hostility, or

You provided mortuary services or direct emergency medical care to treat the casualties of war while on active duty, or

You were a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat theater or area of hostility, or

You served on active duty in response to a national emergency or major disaster declared by the president, or under orders of the governor or chief executive of a state in response to a disaster or civil disorder, or

You're a current or former member of the Coast Guard who participated in a drug interdiction operation, or

You're a current member of the Reserve Component assigned to a military command in a drill status, including active Reserves, and you need to address a behavioral health condition or psychological trauma that is related to your military service

If you're a Veteran or service member (including National Guard and Reserves), you're also eligible for Vet Center services if any of these descriptions is true for you:

You're a Vietnam Era Veteran who used Vet Center services before January 2, 2013,  or

You experienced military sexual trauma (no matter your gender or service era),  or

You currently use any covered VA educational assistance benefits

What are the covered educational assistance benefits?

They're benefits from any of these programs

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC)

Remember: You don't need to be enrolled in VA health care to be eligible for Vet Center services. You don't need to have a service-connected disability. And you can have any character of discharge.

You can use our counseling and other support services when your participation would support the growth and goals of the Veteran or service member in your family. If the Veteran or service member considers you family, so do we.

You can also use our bereavement services if any of these descriptions is true for your family:

The Veteran or service member died while serving on active duty, or

The Veteran was using Vet Center services at the time of their death, or

No. You don't have to be enrolled in VA health care or have a service-connected disability.

Safe and confidential. Our records can't be accessed by other VA offices, the DoD, military units, or other community networks and providers without your permission or unless required to avert a life-threatening situation. Here, you can be as open as you want-there's absolutely no judgment.

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We offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Our services include counseling for needs such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). We can also connect you with more support in VA and your community.

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Play Therapy is to kids what counseling or talk therapy is to adults. Children use play as their natural language and the toys are their words. Play therapy allows a child to change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their concerns.

For older kids and teens, the counselor will use activities, games, arts, crafts, and sand tray therapy to provide a non threatening means of communication. The activities are selected to help meet treatment goals, although the client is free to carry out the activity or interpret the activity in a way that best fits his/her needs and interests.
Why Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is effective for a wide variety of problems or concerns that affect or will affect the way a child functions at home, at school, or in the community. Child counselors can be and should be specially trained to strategically use play and specific toys to address a child's needs when the child does not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. The positive relationship between a therapist and child during play therapy can provide an experience that promotes well being and leads to emotional healing.

Play therapy demonstrates significant effectiveness for children and behavioral and emotional challenges. You may read more about play therapy as a successful evidence based practice here.
Who Can Benefit from Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is especially appropriate for kids ages 3-12. For older kids and teens, play provides a safe distance from problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings. Play techniques for older kids and teens include sand tray therapy, expressive arts (painting, drawing, creating, sculpting, acting, singing), or activity therapy (constructing, building, balls, games, etc.)
What can play therapy do for my child?
Develop responsibility for behaviors

Develop problem solving skills

Learn to communicate with others

Develop respect and acceptance of self and others

Stimulate creative thinking and exploration

Express emotion

Relieve stress

Cultivate empathy

Enhance social skills

Develop assuredness about personal abilities
How long does my child need play therapy?
Each child comes at his/her own pace and with his/her own needs. Therefore, the length of counseling varies. Once the therapist attends an initial parent consultation with the parent/caregiver and it is established that the child will begin play therapy, the child needs sufficient time to develop a trusting and warm therapeutic relationship with the therapist in order to feel safe enough to express to the therapist through toys, sand, or expressive arts, his/her child's world view and perceptions of experiences.
What is the process? Parent Consultations
During the initial parent consultation (without the child), the parent will have the opportunity to share concerns and background information about the child. The counselor will explain the therapy/counseling process and procedures and will provide a few forms to sign.

Parent consultations (again without the child) will continue every 4th session. These consultations allow the counselor to address the parent's concerns, allow parents to have a better understanding of the child, allow the therapist to share information about the child without breaking confidentiality, and allow both the counselor and parent to communicate progress. It's a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with parents/caregivers in their efforts to support their child.
Play Therapy Sessions
These sessions are typically 45 minutes in length and may include play therapy, expressive arts, sand tray therapy, or activity therapy in a designated Playroom. The duration of counseling varies from child to child. The amount of sessions a child attends may range from 4-12+ sessions. Individual play therapy sessions include one child and the counselor. Group play therapy sessions include 2-3 children and the counselor.

The Association for Play Therapy outlines the stages of play therapy which helps inform parents of what to expect and guides play therapists during the process. You may read about them here.
What is a Registered Play Therapist?
An RPT is a licensed mental health professional specifically trained in employing the therapeutic power of play. We have extensive training and supervision in play therapy and child development, plus we are already licensed mental health therapists! We receive our RPT credentialing from the Association for Play Therapy (www.a4pt.org).
How does Play Therapy Work?
A Child Centered Play Therapist doesn't suggest that clients play with a certain toy or work on a presenting problem. Instead, play therapists offer warmth, empathy and a gentle structure for clients to make their own meaning through the exploration and play they chose to engage in. Play reveals a child's internal emotional world. Children have a unique voice in the playroom which doesn't always include words. Roughly 70 percent of a play therapist's work is nonverbal and 30 percent is verbal. When play therapy practitioners do speak, it is typically to offer reflection and encouragement on the play they are observing or to offer guidance such as setting limits.

Skilled play therapists can recognize play themes that reflect the child's emotional needs and use them to help process their concerns. Play therapists respond to play themes, often saying back to the child what she is doing. Children appropriately interpret this as permission to continue, and delve deeper. It also promotes emotion regulation and mindfulness as the therapist attunes to the child, attends to the present, and pairs language with actions, thoughts, and feelings to facilitate integration.

Even though the reason that brought the child to therapy may not be that specific scenario, a skilled therapist uses this a child's play to address underlying feelings such as helplessness, fear, or anger. As their play moves through specific stages, emotions become less overwhelming, and many families note that behavior outside of the sessions improves.

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Play Therapy Counseling for Children — Playroom Lubbock

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What is Play Therapy? What is Activity Therapy? Play Therapy is to kids what counseling or talk therapy is to adults. Children use play as their natural language and the toys are their words. Play therapy allows a child to change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their concerns. &